The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has been accused of sidelining first-term members during debates.
Cyril Hart, who represents the Bonny/Degema federal constituency of Rivers State, made this allegation during a discussion on the recent su!cide bombings in Borno State.
The motion on the Borno bombings was presented by Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno). During the debate, Deputy Speaker Kalu permitted contributions from former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase, Chairman of the Committee on Navy Yusuf Gagdi, and Chairman of the Committee on Defence Babajimi Benson. However, despite several indications from other members wishing to speak, Kalu cited time constraints and did not allow further debate.
As Kalu moved to put the motion to a vote, Hart raised a point of order. He accused the deputy speaker of showing bias against new members, noting that only senior members were allowed to speak on the motion. Hart claimed this has become a recurring pattern under Kalu’s presiding, where senior members are consistently given preferential treatment.
Hart said while some lawmakers on the floor cheered him;
“You don’t give preference to first-timers… you don’t. This is what you always do. You need to allow for first-timers.”
Kalu responded by saying “There is no discrimination in the parliament.”
Not satisfied with this, Mr Hart continued to speak despite his microphone being switched off by the presiding officer and stormed out of the chamber in protest.